Page 143 - Fairbook 2026.1.28.26.1 copy.indd

141 2026 BUTLER COUNTY
and exhibitor's family. behavior.
H. RECOMMENDATION FOR DEFINITION OF OWNER- The judge will immediately excuse any dog that appears
SHIP dangerous to other dogs or exhibitors.
Any dog that snaps, bites, or attempts to bite any person or
• Defi nition of Ownership dog while in the show ring will immediately be excused.
If the dog is registered by AKC, UKC, individual breed reg- Any uncontrolled behavior such as barking, running away
istries, herding dog registries, etc. the exhibitor’s name, or a from its handler, etc., will be penalized according to the
member of their immediate family’s name, must appear on the seriousness of the misbehavior, whether it occurs during or
registration certifi cate. Co-Ownership of a dog is permitted between exercises, or before or after judging.
provided the exhibitor’s name or a member of their immedi- Any dog not under its handler’s control may be excused
ate family’s name is listed on the registration certifi cate. It is from competition.
recommended that a copy of the registration certifi cate to be • ANY dog that needs more space should wear a yellow

on fi le in the County Extension Offi ce.
If non-registered dog was purchased by a private owner, pet ribbon or collar to let others know to keep an appropriate
shop, humane society, dog rescue, etc., the exhibitor’s name distance. Dogs wearing a yellow collar may be crated in
or a member of their immediate family must appear on the bill a separate space.
of sale. L. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
If a dog was given to the exhibitor or immediate family, or • Any exhibitor or other person(s) abusing a dog will be
found by the exhibitor or immediate family, the exhibitor or removed from the fairgrounds.
a member of their family receiving or fi nding the dog should • Judges have the right to deduct points from the Sports-
verify the date received or found by use of veterinary re-
cords, dogs licenses, and other forms of records, and write a manship category on the exhibitor’s score sheet if un-
statement as to the defi nite or approximate date the dog was sportsmanlike conduct is displayed at any time through-
received as a gift or found. out the 4-H dog show prior to or during judging.

I. TRAINING • Judges and/or show offi cials have the right to disqualify
• Lessons, instruction and advice for the exhibitor are any participant exhibiting poor sportsmanship at any time
encouraged. As long as the exhibitor is present in the throughout the 4-H Dog Show from showing, participat-
learning situation, and handles or trains the dog the ing in activities, or from receiving any awards.
majority of the time present, such assistance can include • Any handler who willfully interferes with another competi-
occasional handling or training by another person. tor or that competitor’s dog will be excused from compe-
• Only the exhibitor can train the dog at any type of training tition.
class on or after April 1, 2026. • Exhibitors, parents, volunteers, and other individuals
• The judge will not permit an exhibitor to train or practice verbally and/or physically abusive or threatening to show
any exercise in the show ring at any time. personnel will be removed from the Fairgrounds, and
J. SHOWING exhibitors will be disqualifi ed.

• No one other than the junior fair exhibitor is permitted • Show offi cials have the right to order the removal from
to show the project dog(s) at any type of dog show, the Fairgrounds anyone showing unsportsmanlike con-
including agility, fi eld trials, rally trials, etc., as well as fun duct.
matches, on or after April 1, 2026. • Exhibitors must check in at their show ring within 15
• No one other than the junior fair exhibitor is permitted to minutes after being called to their ring. Exhibitors who
take the project dog(s) on animal assisted activities (pet do not check in at their show ring within 15 minutes after
therapy) visits, on or after April 1, 2026. being called will have sportsmanship points deducted on
• Eligibility for showing in an “A” class is defi ned as “no their score sheets.
training or showing experience for the handler and/or M. OTHER
dog prior to the county’s current project year.” Handlers • An exhibitor disciplining a dog in the show ring will be
and/or dogs not meeting this requirement MUST show in excused from further competition in that class.
a “B” class. Refer to “A” class information in the rules for • The judge will not permit any handler to use excessive
each show discipline. verbal commands or to move toward the dog to correct it.
• Exhibitors showing their dogs at any Licensed or Mem- • Exhibitors are totally responsible for their dogs while on
ber Obedience Trial or at a Sanctioned Match must the Fairgrounds.
show their dogs at the same or higher level than they Dogs must be kept on leash while on the Fairgrounds, ex-
are showing in AKC, UKC, or other titling shows. Fun cept when participating in the ring during judging.
matches do not apply. Dogs must be attended to at all times by exhibitor or exhibi-
• ONLY dogs shown by junior fair exhibitors are permitted tors family members.
Dogs must be kenneled in designated areas.
on the Fairgrounds. Exhibitors must clean up after their dogs.
• Class may be canceled or regrouped if less than 5 Dogs are not permitted outside show venue.
people are signed up for that class. If you are the only Exhibitors or exhibitors family members are not permitted to
exhibitor in your class, you are able to repeat the class tie up the dog.
the following year. • Dogs must not be left unattended.
K. MISBEHAVIOR AND EXCUSALS FOR DOGS ON • Females dogs showing ANY signs of heat are not permit-
THE FAIRGROUNDS OR SHOW RING. ted on the Fairgrounds, They are NOT permitted to show.
• Any dog exhibiting unsafe or threatening behavior at any Each dog must go through a health check each day of
time before, during, or after exhibition MUST be removed showing, where all females will be checked for signs of
from the fairgrounds and will not be permitted to return at heat. If a female shows any signs of heat, she will be
any time throughout the Dog Show. Determination of the eliminated from the show and must be removed from
show committee and/or judge will be fi nal. the Fairgrounds. DECISION OF THE HEALTH CHECK
• The judge or show offi cials will immediately excuse OFFICIALS IS FINAL. (This is a State Rule.)

from the ring any dog exhibiting unsafe or threatening • Dogs are not permitted to wear any type of muzzle,